Quantum Mechanical Simulations of the Radical–Radical Chemistry on Icy Surfaces

Quantum Mechanical Simulations of the Radical–Radical Chemistry on Icy Surfaces

The formation of interstellar complex organic molecules (iCOMs) has bee investigated adoting radical-radical coupling reactions on amorphous water ice, finding that many of these reactions do have an energy barrier due to the interaction of the radicals with the water ice surfac, and that there are competitive channels involving the abstraction of an H atom from one radical to the other.

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Analysis of superbolides recorded from space suggests interstellar and near-Earth objects as an important source of impact hazard

Analysis of superbolides recorded from space suggests interstellar and near-Earth objects as an important source of impact hazard

We have analyzed the superbolides recorded by the US Government satellite sensors. We found that ∼1/4 of the large fireballs detected from the space could be associated with near-Earth objects or meteoroid streams. The suspected interstellar rocky messenger exhibits a remarkably high tensile strength, indicating that only large or strong enough objects may survive the harsh interstellar medium.

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